Success Strategies: Finding a Reputable Credit Counseling Company

Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS)

A network of agencies found nationwide, CCCS is a well-established and reputable organization whose mission is to provide financial counseling, financial education and debt management services. CCCS organizations vary by state and region. For example, you can find a region-wide CCCS for Southern New England (CCCS of Southern New England - www.creditcounseling.org) that serves Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Depending on the state, CCCS organizations offer debt management programs at no charge, or they charge a nominal monthly fee or both. Working with the consumer, CCCS will develop a debt repayment plan, which usually includes reduced credit card payments, and will call all credit card companies on behalf of the consumer to implement the repayment plan. The consumer then sends CCCS a check for a set amount each month and CCCS makes the credit card payments. Although consumers can do this for themselves, CCCS is generally much more effective at it because they know who to talk to at the banks and how to get the payments and/or interest rates reduced.

Caveat: Just because a credit counseling organization says it is non-profit doesn't mean its services are legitimate.

Facts for Consumers (FTC)

The Federal Trade Commission has an excellent website chock full of information for consumers, including how to choose a credit counseling service and the questions to ask when vetting an organization (see: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre26.shtm)

In addition, it includes the warning signs to look for if a company offering to repair your credit approaches you. Due to the current market, companies are marketing themselves to consumers with poor credit histories by saying they can clean up any type of credit problem, erase bad credit, remove bankruptcies and foreclosures, and even worse, create new credit IDs legally!

As the FTC site states, these pitches are scams, pure and simple. For additional information on how you can help your clients, see: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/repair.shtm

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Consumers can get a list of HUD-approved counseling agencies by calling HUD at 800-569-4287 or by visiting HUD's "Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure" page at: http://www.hud.gov/foreclosure/index.cfm. On this page, you'll find a link for finding a housing counselor in any state across the U.S.

Caveat: Although HUD vets counselors, in our research we found a few that definitely were not up to par. Consumers are cautioned, then, to practice due diligence and not choose a counselor simply because he or she has been recommended by HUD.

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Consumers can also check for any complaints against credit counseling agencies or companies by going to the Better Business Bureau website at: http://www.bbb.org. Type in your zip code to find the BBB for your state.

Questions to ask credit counselors

In addition to researching potential credit repair agencies and companies online, consumers should be prepared to ask a series of questions including:

• How do you make your income?
• What do you charge for your various programs?
• How long have you been in business?
• This is my situation - is this something you deal with on a regular basis?
• Are you a member of the BBB? Do you mind if I call the BBB to see what your record is? (If the company hesitates, consider this a red flag.)
• What is your process for helping people manage their financial problems?
• Do you offer financial counseling and education?

And finally, consider it a red flag if a credit counseling company calls you or your customers about repairing bad credit. If they call or email you, this means they have paid a substantial fee to purchase a list of people with financial problems and need to earn back their investment.

Also, encourage your customers to determine their true financial status in detail. This should include all living expenses and income as well as all assets and liabilities. Having this information will help a financial counselor to give more accurate and helpful recommendations. Forms to help in this analysis can be found in my book, Save that Mortgage!, and are also available at financial institutions and online.